This interpretation I set out to the others.

Yva knelt before the statue for a little while, bowing her head in
prayer, and really I felt inclined to follow her example, though in the
end I compromised, as did Bickley, by taking off my hat, which, like the
others, I still wore from force of habit, though in this place none were
needed. Only Bastin remained covered.

"Behold the god of my people," said Yva. "Have you no reverence for it,
O Bastin?"

"Not much," he answered, "except as a work of art. You see I worship
Fate's Master. I might add that your god doesn't seem to have done much
for you, Lady Yva, as out of all your greatness there's nothing left but
two people and a lot of old walls and caves."

At first she was inclined to be angry, for I saw her start. Then her
mood changed, and she said with a sigh:

"Fate's Master! Where does He dwell?"

"Here amongst other places," said Bastin. "I'll soon explain that to
you."

"I thank you," she replied gravely. "But why have you not explained it
to Bickley?" Then waving her hand to show that she wished for no answer,
she went on:

"Friends, would you wish to learn something of the history of my
people?"

"Very much," said the irrepressible Bastin, "but I would rather the
lecture took place in the open air."

"That is not possible," she answered. "It must be here and now, or not
at all. Come, stand by me. Be silent and do not move. I am about to set
loose forces that are dangerous if disturbed."

Chapter XVI. Visions of the Past

She led us to the back of the statue and pointed to each of us where
we should remain. Then she took her place at right angles to us, as a
showman might do, and for a while stood immovable. Watching her face,
once more I saw it, and indeed all her body, informed with that strange
air of power, and noted that her eyes flashed and that her hair grew
even more brilliant than was common, as though some abnormal strength
were flowing through it and her. Presently she spoke, saying:

"I shall show you first our people in the day of their glory. Look in
front of you."

We looked and by degrees the vast space of the apse before us became
alive with forms. At first these were vague and shadowy, not to be
separated or distinguished. Then they became so real that until he was
reproved by a kick, Tommy growled at them and threatened to break out
into one of his peals of barking.

A wonderful scene appeared. There was a palace of w